Velikova T, Gerasoudis S, Batselova H. Vaccination for solid organ transplanted patients: Recommendations, efficacy, and safety. World J Transplant 2024; 14(4): 92172 [DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v14.i4.92172]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Hristiana Batselova, MD, PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Disaster Medicine, Medical University, University Hospital “St George”, Blvd Vasil Aprilov 15A, Plovdiv 4000, Bulgaria. dr_batselova@abv.bg
Research Domain of This Article
Transplantation
Article-Type of This Article
Evidence Review
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Tsvetelina Velikova, Medical Faculty, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, Sofia 1407, Bulgaria
Stavros Gerasoudis, Faculty of Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora 6000, Bulgaria
Hristiana Batselova, Department of Epidemiology and Disaster Medicine, Medical University, University Hospital “St George”, Plovdiv 4000, Bulgaria
Author contributions: Velikova T contributed to the conceptualization, writing, reviewing, and editing, and supervision; Gerasoudis S and Batselova H were involved in the resources and data curation; Velikova T, Gerasoudis S, and Batselova H participated in the writing the original draft; All authors revised and approved the final version of the manuscript prior to submission.
Supported bythe European Union-Next Generation EU, through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Republic of Bulgaria, No. BG-RRP-2.004-0008.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hristiana Batselova, MD, PhD, Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Disaster Medicine, Medical University, University Hospital “St George”, Blvd Vasil Aprilov 15A, Plovdiv 4000, Bulgaria. dr_batselova@abv.bg
Received: January 17, 2024 Revised: May 12, 2024 Accepted: July 10, 2024 Published online: December 18, 2024 Processing time: 246 Days and 19.6 Hours
Abstract
Solid organ transplant recipients face unique challenges in managing their immunosuppressed status, making vaccination a critical consideration. This review aimed to comprehensively analyze current recommendations, evaluate the efficacy of vaccinations in this population, and assess safety concerns. We explored the latest evidence on vaccine types, timing, and potential benefits for transplant patients, highlighting the importance of individualized approaches for routinely used vaccines as well as coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines. By synthesizing available data, this review underscored the pressing need to optimize vaccination strategies, ensuring that transplant recipients can obtain the full protection against many pathogens while minimizing risks associated with their post-transplant immunosuppression.
Core Tip: Adapting vaccination strategies to the unique immunosuppressed status of solid organ transplant recipients is crucial. Individualized approaches, considering factors like transplant type, age, and immunosuppressive regimens, should guide clinicians in optimizing vaccine selection, timing, and dosing. As we bridge current recommendations with evolving evidence, personalized vaccination protocols will enhance protective immunity while minimizing risks of infections during immunosuppressive treatment, ensuring that transplant recipients receive optimal quality of life, overall wellbeing, and duration of life.
